Call recording apparatus for telephones



May '19, 1936. J. E. LASKIN CALL RECORDING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONES Filed Au 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Snnentor ficoa ins/(mt 7 (ittdmeg May 19, 1936.

, CALL RECORDING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONES Filed Aug. 3, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. E. LASKIN 72,041,554

Zinvenhr (IttoLrneg Patented May 19, 1936 CALL BECORDIN G APPARATUS FOR LEPHONES Jacob E. Laskin, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application August a, 1933, Serial No. 683,435 25 Claims. (01.1'79-11) This invention relates to call-recording mechanism for use with automatic telephones, and the primary object 01 the same is to provide mechanism of this type which is compactand may be built into the telephone unit or sold as a separate attachment therefor and which records only the chargeable calls, is reliable and eflicient in operation and at the same time is of such simplified construction as to bring its cost within the range demanded by the nature of its service.

The present improved counting mechanism is primarily adapted for use with phone systems of the reverse current type, and includes in its assembly a polarized relay which places the actuating means for the counter in condition to be operated by the receiver hook. It is desirable that this relay be cut out of the main phone circuit during talking as well as during the dialing operation to prevent transmission losses. Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide counting mechanism for automatic telephones which includes in its organization magnetizable or polarized means for performing certain functions with relation to the call-recording operation, and means. whereby said magnetizable or polarized means may be shunted out from the main phone circuit during talking as well as during the dialing operation.

. The present application is a continuation in part of my copending application; Serial No. 638,351, filed October 18, 1932.

In the drawings: e

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a telephone unit showing the improved call-recording mechanism, principally in dotted lines, installed in the base of the telephone;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the parts of the call-recording mechanism installed in the base of the phone of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the polarized relay cam shunting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially on the line 4-4, Fig. 2; andFig. 4a is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the parts in alternate position; and

-- Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram; of the complete circuit.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the hollow base of the telephone is indicated at 5, the receiver hook at 6, and the transmitter at I. While I have shown the mechanism installed in the conventional type of upright or standard phone, it will be understood that it could be operatively applied in conjunction with a cradle 55 or French type of phone, or any other type of phone embodying the usual telephone parts, with minor changes in structure of a simple mechanical nature. The mechanism in the presentinstance is shown installed in a separate housing 5a which is attached to the base of the phone, but 5 it will be understood thatthe mechanism could be built into the said base, or the latter could be extended to accommodate the same as desired. The rotatable impulse dial is indicated at 8 and is mounted on a shaft 9. At an intermediate 10 point on this shaft, the conventional impulse dial spring mechanism is mounted, the mechanical parts of such mechanism not being shown in Fig. 1. On the lower end of the shaft 9, a cam plate Iii is secured, said plate having mounted therein a slidable spring-pressed pawl ll. The pawl ll is adapted to engage a polarizedrelay shunting cam l2 provided with a series of teeth Ma, 8. return spring I and a limit stop i212. Cam I! is also provided with a cam portion I2b adapted 20 to engage a cam-contact point l3 formed on the one leg of a pair of spring contacts i3a. and Mb. The contact spring l3a is connected by means of a wire I30 with a spring contact Ha, while the spring contact l3b is connected by means of a wire |3d with a spring contact Mb, the coacting spring contacts I40. and Nb constituting a selfshunting switch for a polarized relay generally indicated at P. Accordingly, the spring contact I4'a is connected by means of a wire Me with the one coil p of the said relay, and the contact spring llb is connected by means of a wire (I with the remaining coil p of said relay.

A counter C of any conventional or desired type is provided, the shaft of which is provided with a ratchet wheel l5, said wheel being actuated in one direction by means of a pawl 16 which 1 extends back to and is pivotally connected to the one arm of a bell crank lever H, the other arm of said lever having pivotally connected thereto a rod l8 which extends upwardly through the hollow tubular frame of the phone and is pivotally connected to the receiver hook 6, note Fig. 1.

The pawl I6 is maintained'under spring pressure by means of the contact spring Ila, which is provided with a boss or analogous member lfia which bears against the one extremity of the spring contact a. Aswill be subsequently disclosed, these contact springs Ila and Nb are 60 automatically closed when the party being called removes the receiver from the phone bearing the number being dialed and" the current is reversed in the system.

The polarized relay P is provided with an ad justable armature I9 which has connected thereto a lever or analogous member 20 extending called answers, this position being shown in Fig. 4.

When the party answersand the current is reversed in the polarized relay P, the lever 20 is moved to the left under the influence of the said relay, as shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, and the notch registers with said pawl l5, whereupon the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 4a, thereby permitting the pawl Hi to move into registration with the ratchet wheel 55 under pressure of the spring contact Ida, simultaneously closing the contacts Na and lib.

Also connected to the bell crank lever I? is a cam rod or analogous member 2! having a cam end 2 la adapted to contact a spring-pressed pawl 22, note particularly Fig. 2, the pawl 22 serving to prevent return movement of the cam [2 during the dialing operation, and beingmoved clear of said cam and permitting it to return to normal position when the receiver is placed on the receiver hook 6, or when the latter is depressed.

The pawl i6 is provided on one side thereof with a cam ifib adapted toengage the lever 28 and move it out of registration with the notch 20a as the said pawl moves back and rotates the wheel 15, so that the parts again assume the position shown in Fig. 4 after the hook has been depressed and the counter actuated.

The wiring diagram for the phone circuit including the automatic counting mechanism is shown in Fig. 5, and this diagram will be utilized in the description of the operation of the mechanism, which follows:

The hook switch, dial impulse springs and dial shunt springs are clearly designated in Fig. 5, these parts being conventional to dial phone circuits. In the positions of the various. switch contacts in the diagram in Fig. 5, the receiver is supposed to be on the hook, or the latter is depressed. As will be understood, the dial shunt springs in the usual dial phone serve to shunt out the receiver and transmitter during impulsing, these springs. closing when dialing starts and remaining closed until dialing ceases. In the present instance, the circuit is so arranged that these springs also serve to shunt out the polarized relay during dialing.

When the receiver hook 6 moves up, due to removal of the receiver, and the hook switch closes, the circuit is completed through wire L-l, a, contact 12, wire a, a2, a3, cam contact spring wires I30, 13d, wire 46, a5, through the transmitter, wire at and a1, then through the induction coil and through L-Z.

Assuming that the party calling now begins to dial. In the usual dial system, the first three numbers or digits are devoted to unchargeable calls, such as trouble calls, a call to the operator, or a call for the long distance operator direct or relayed through the local operator. Thus in dialing such calls, three numbers or letters are used. The relative angular position of the cam 12 with respect to the cam plate Ill may be adjusted so that the cam portion |2b ofthe cam I2 does not engage the contact member l3 of the spring contact l3b until the-dial is given four or more dialing turns. Hence the contact springs I30, and I3!) remainclosed during dialing of all unchargeable calls, and the circuit remains as above outlined.

Assuming the dial is given four or more turns,

subsequent call or dialing operation.

then the cam portion i2 1) engages the contact member l3 separating the contact springs $30. and i3b, andthe circuit is then completed through L--i, a, h, a, relay P, wire a5, transmitter, wire a6, a1, induction coil, and L--2.

' Assuming now that the party being called answers and removes the receiver of the dialed phone from its hook. The current then reverses at the central office or exchange and the positive 5 line L-Z becomes negative -and L-l becomes positive. This reversal of current acts on the polarized relay, which throws the arm or lever 26 to the left so that the notch 20a registers with the pawl 16, permitting the latter to depress due to the pressure set up by the spring contact Ma and moving the pawl it into mesh with the ratchet wheel l5. The circuit is then through L-i, a, h, a, (12, ad, a5, through the transmitter, (16, al, induction coil, and L-2, the polarized relay being shunted out while the phone conversation ensues.

When the party finishes talking and returns the receiver to the hook or depresses the hook for any reason whatsoever, the pawl It is caused to actuate the counter wheel i5 registering the chargeable call. l

The dial shunt springs close when dialing starts, as heretofore noted, and remain closed. until dialing ceases. It will be noted that, when these .contact springs close, the polarized relay is shunted out of the circuit, the circuit then being completed through Ll, a, a, a8, dial shunt springs a9, wire all], a], induction coil, and L2.

Should the dial be actuated while the receiver is on the hook or while the latter remains depressed, the pawl 22 remains clear of the cam i2, so that the latter simply returns to its normal position each time the dial is given a turn or partial turn, and no actuation of the counter results. Assuming a chargeable call has been made and the receiver is placed onthe hook and the call recorded by the counter, cam 16b on the side of pawl it moves lever 23 out of the notch or recess 28a and the said lever and pawl assumethe position shownin Fig. 4, while the lever 2| is caused to retract the pawl 22, permitting the cam l2 to return to its normal position ready for a From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a call-recording apparatus forindividual phones which will register only the chargeable calls, or those that are normally listed by the 1 central station as chargeable. While I have shown the counter applied directly to the phone, it will beobvious that it could be installed at a point remote from the phone and operated by means of a suitable electric switch circuit, or analogous means, so that in order to make a record of the calls it would not be necessary to gain access derstood that the showing in the drawings is not .to be construed as a limitation but simply as a means of .explalningthe construction and operation of the invention.

The term receiver hook in the claims is meant to include any switch-operating member which performs the function of -opening and closing the phone circuit, such as the conventional re-.-

ceiver hook in the standard type phone and the depressible member generally used in the French type of phone or those wherein the receiver and transmitter are combined in a single hand unit.

I claim:

1. In a telephone system, in combination with an automatic telephone having a rotatable impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, a counting device, a magnetic means operatively associated with said switch and device, an electrical circuit for said latter means, and means rendered operative through a predetermined number of impulses of said dial for connecting the second-named circuit into said first-named circuit.

2. In a telephone system, in combination with an automatic telephone having a rotatable impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, a counting device, a magnetic means operatively associated with said switch and device, an electrical circuit for said latter means, a cam member arranged to be actuated through impulsing of said dial for connecting the second-named circuit into said first-named circuit, and adjustable means operating to render said cam means inoperative until the dial has given a predetermined number of dialing impulses.

3. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, a phone circuit, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, means for operating said switch, a rotatable impulse dial, a counting de= vice adapted to register calls in sequential order, magnetizable means for automatically operatively connecting said switch-actuating means with said device upon a reversal of current in the phone circuit, and means for automatically shunting said magnetizable means out of the circuit including a cam member arranged to be rotated by said impulse dial.

4. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a phone circuit, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, means for actuating said switch, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, magnetizable means for automatically operatively connecting said switch actuating means with said device upon a reversal of current in the phone circuit, and means operating through rotation of said dial for shunting out said magnetizable means.

5. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a switch for closing and opening said circuit, means for operating said switch, a counting device 7 adapted to register calls in sequential order, means for operatively connecting said switch operating means with said device upon a reversal of current in the phone circuit, said switch operating means having a connection with the device such aswill cause the latter to be actuated when the circuit is opened.

6. In combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the phone circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means for operatively connecting said counting device with said hook, and means rendering said connecting means operative to actuate said device through depression of said hook upon a response to the call number being dialed.

7. In combination with an automatic telephone having a rotatable. impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the phone circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means for operatively connecting said hook with said counting device, means normally maintaining said connecting means disengaged from said device, and means for moving said connecting means into engaged position with said device upon a response to the call number being dialed.

8. In combination with an automatic telephone having a rotatable impulse dial and a reverse current circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the phone circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means for operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device, means normally maintaining said connecting means disengaged from said device, and magnetizable means adapted to move said connecting means into operative engagement with said counting device upon a response to the call number being dialed.

9. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a mainphone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means for mechanically connecting said hook with said device, means normally maintaining said connecting means disengaged from said device, and means automaticallyoperatively connecting said connecting means with said device upon a reversal of current in the main phone circuit.

10. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means for mechanically connecting said hook with said device, means normally malntaining said connecting means disengaged from said device, and ma netic means operable to move said connecting means into operative engagement with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit.

11. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic tele phone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means connecting said hook with said device, means normally maintaining said connecting means disengaged from said device, and a polarized relay adapted to move said connecting means into operative engagement with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit.

12. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means for actuating said device through depression of said hook, and means rendering said actuating means operable by depression of said hook upon reversal of current in the phone circuit.

- type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a phone circuit, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a receiver hook or analogous 'member for operating the switch, magnetizable means for automatically operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit, and means for automatical- 1y shunting out said magnetic means upon reversal of the current.

15. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, and a polarized relay for automatically operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device whereby when the hook is depressed the device will be operated, said relay being rendered operative through reversal of current in the phone circuit.

16. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order,,a switch for closing and open-' ing the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, and a polarized relay for automatically operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device whereby when.

the hook is depressed the device will be operated,

said relay being rendered operative through reversal of current in the phone circuit, and means for automatically shunting out said relay upon reversal of the current.

17. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a

counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, magnetizable means for automatically operatively connecting said re ceiver hook with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit, means for automatically shunting out said magnetic means upon reversal of the current, and means for also automatical 1y shunting out said means during the dialing operation.

18. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and-opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, a polarized relay for automatically operatively connecting said'receiver hook with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit, a relay circuit, contact members for connecting said relay circuit with the phone circuit. and means rendered operative I rent type, in combination with an automatic telephonehaving an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous vmember for operating the switch, a polarized relay for automatically operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit, a relay circuit, spring contact members for connecting the relay circuit with the main phone circuit, and a cam rotatable with the dial for automatically actuating said spring contacts upon a predetermined numberof dialing turns of the dial to thereby separate said spring contacts and shunt the relay circuit out of the phone circuit.

20. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, a polarized relay for automatically operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit, a relay circuit, con tact members for connecting said relay circuit with the phone circuit, means rendered operative upon a predetermined number of dialing turns of said dial for automatically shunting the relay circuit out of the phone circuit, and means for returning said cam to its original position, said means being rendered operative through depression of said receiver hook.

21. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, a polarized relay for automatically operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit, a relay circuit, spring contact members for connecting the relay circuit with the phone circuit, a cam for separating said spring contacts upon a predetermined number of dialing turns, and a pawl associated with the dial for actuating said cam through impulsing movements of said dial.

22. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a main phone circuit, a counting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, magnetizable means for automatically operatively connecting said receiver hook with said device upon reversal of current in the phone circuit, dial shunt springs, said springs being connected into the circuit in a manner such as to shunt the magnetizable means out of the main phone circuit through rotation of said dial.

23. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic hook or analogous member for operating the switch, acqunting device adapted to register calls in sequential order, a'ratchet wheel for said device, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel, means connecting said pawl with said receiverhook, and means connecting said polarized relay with said pawl whereby the latter is moved into mesh with said wheel upon reversal of current in the main phone circuit.

24. In a telephone system of the reverse current type, in combination with an automatic tele-' phone having an impulse dial, a polarized relay, an electrical circlit for said relay, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member tor operating the switch, a counting device adapted to register calls insequential order, a ratchet wheel for said device, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel,

means connecting said pawl with said receiver hock, means connecting said polarized relay with said pawl whereby the latter is moved into mesh with said wheel upon reversal of current in the main phone circuit, and means for automatically moving said pawl out of mesh with said wheel.

25. In combination with an automatic telephone having an impulse dial, a switch for closing and opening the circuit, a receiver hook or analogous member for operating the switch, means for registering calls in sequential order, and means for automatically operatively mechanically connecting said hook with said recording means upon a response to the call number being dialed.

' JACOB E. LASKIN. 

